Scientific Name
Brachyplatystoma vaillantii

Common Name
Laulao catfish

Biology
Juveniles and subadults frequently found at river mouths and estuaries. Occurs downstream from the first falls where the water is charged with mud and the bottom is muddy. In the Amazon, it can sometimes be caught in the upper part up to the foot of the Andean range where it appears to be more rare than Brachyplatystoma filamentosum and Brachyplatystoma flavicus but never in the zones prone to flood. Reproductive migrations probably occur like in other Brachyplatystoma (Ref. 35381). Usually caught with longlines and drift nets (Ref. 35381). Its flesh of excellent quality is highly appreciated.

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1840

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Long-whiskered catfishes (Pimelodidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Amazon and Orinoco River basins and major rivers of the Guianas and northeastern Brazil.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

4.5 s.e. 0.80 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

80.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (72 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated